Important Notices
Alert 01 – Free Tourist Visa (ETA) Scheme
Effective from 25 May 2026
1. Free Tourist Visa (ETA) for 40 Countries
With effect from 25 May 2026, nationals of the following 40 countries are eligible to obtain a Sri Lanka Tourist Visa (ETA) free of charge for a period of 30 days:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom, and United States of America.
2. Eligible Passport Types
Nationals of the above-mentioned countries holding:
- Diplomatic Passports
- Official Passports
- Service Passports
- Ordinary Passports
are eligible to obtain the free Tourist Visa (ETA) under this scheme.
3. Mandatory ETA Requirement
All foreign nationals, including nationals of the above-mentioned 40 countries and nationals of countries with bilateral reciprocal agreements with Sri Lanka (Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore), are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.
Under the bilateral reciprocal agreement between Sri Lanka and Maldives, Maldivian nationals are entitled to a 90-day tourist visa through the ETA system.
4. ETA Processing Fee
The ETA for nationals of the above-mentioned 40 countries, as well as nationals of Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore, will be processed free of charge.
Please note that ETA fees paid prior to 25 May 2026 are non-refundable.
5. Visa Validity
Under this scheme:
- Tourists are entitled to a 30-day free tourist visa
- Maldivian nationals are entitled to a 90-day tourist visa
- A double-entry facility is permitted within the visa validity period from the date of first arrival in Sri Lanka.
6. Visa Extension
Visitors wishing to remain in Sri Lanka beyond the permitted visa period may apply for a visa extension upon payment of the applicable visa fee.
7. Other Nationalities
Except for the nationals mentioned above, all other foreign nationals shall continue to be subject to the existing rules and regulations governing the Sri Lanka ETA system.
Alert 02
Special Visa Application Procedure
Visitors from the following countries intending to apply for an ETA must apply through a Sri Lankan Sponsor at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka:
- Cameroon
- Nigeria
- Ivory Coast
- Ghana
- Afghanistan
Required Documents
The following documents must be submitted through the Sri Lankan sponsor to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Battaramulla:
- Request letter from the Sri Lankan sponsor
- Affidavit from the Sri Lankan sponsor signed before a Justice of the Peace or Lawyer
- Certified copy of NIC or Passport of the Sri Lankan sponsor
- Applicant’s Police Clearance Report
- Applicant’s Passport Copy
- Proof of Accommodation
Alert 03
Tourist & Business Visa Applications
Visitors from the following countries intending to apply for Tourist or Business Visas must apply through a Sri Lankan Sponsor at the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Sri Lanka:
- Taiwan (China)
- Kosovo
- Syria
Required Documents
The following documents must be submitted through the Sri Lankan sponsor to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Battaramulla:
- Request letter from the Sri Lankan sponsor
- Affidavit from the Sri Lankan sponsor signed before a Justice of the Peace or Lawyer
- Certified copy of NIC or Passport of the Sri Lankan sponsor
- Applicant’s Police Clearance Report
- Applicant’s Passport Copy
- Proof of Accommodation
